Inklingo

How to Say "motorcycle" in Spanish

English → Spanish

moto

MOH-toh/ˈmo.to/

NounA1Informal
Use 'moto' in everyday conversation or informal writing when referring to a motorcycle, similar to how 'bike' is used in English.
A bright red motorcycle, designed in a simple storybook style, parked on a paved road.

Examples

Mi hermano usa su moto para ir a la universidad todos los días.

My brother uses his motorcycle to go to university every day.

Quiero comprar una moto nueva para ir al trabajo.

I want to buy a new motorcycle to go to work.

Ella siempre lleva casco cuando conduce su moto.

She always wears a helmet when she rides her motorbike.

¿Viste qué rápido pasó esa moto roja?

Did you see how fast that red motorcycle went by?

A Feminine Exception

Even though 'moto' ends in -o (which usually means a word is masculine), it is a feminine word. This is because it is a shortened version of the full word 'motocicleta' (which clearly ends in -a).

Incorrect Gender

Mistake: “El moto es rápida.”

Correction: La moto es rápida. Remember to use 'la' or 'una' before 'moto' and use feminine adjectives like 'rápida'.

motocicleta

/moh-toh-see-kleh-tah//motosiˈkleta/

NounA1Formal
Use 'motocicleta' in more formal contexts, when you want to be precise, or when you are referring to the vehicle in a technical or official capacity.
A sleek, colorful motorcycle parked on a quiet street.

Examples

La policía detuvo al conductor de la motocicleta por exceso de velocidad.

The police stopped the motorcycle rider for speeding.

Mi tío viaja por todo el país en su motocicleta.

My uncle travels across the whole country on his motorcycle.

Es obligatorio llevar casco cuando vas en motocicleta.

It's mandatory to wear a helmet when you go on a motorcycle.

Prefiero la motocicleta al coche porque es más rápida en el tráfico.

I prefer the motorcycle over the car because it's faster in traffic.

Gender and Endings

This word is feminine because it ends in 'a'. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

Shortening the word

Mistake: “el moto”

Correction: la moto

Informal vs. Formal Usage

Learners often wonder if there's a difference in meaning between 'moto' and 'motocicleta'. While both mean 'motorcycle', 'moto' is the much more common and casual term used in daily speech, while 'motocicleta' is more formal and less frequent in everyday conversation.

Related Translations

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